Having watched my team for more than 50 years I have only ever walked out just after half-time in a Manly match. That was last year's semi against Souffs, when we were disgraceful. It was something like 40-nil, and I just couldn't hack watching a team that always gave 100% play so miserably. On the way out a Souffs supporter actually offered me sincere condolences. "That's not the Manly we have come to fear out there," she said. "It's all the Board's fault". How right she was.
On the bus back to the station I heard we had scored four late converted tries.
However, that to me was the lowest Manly performance I've witnessed live.How many matches have we won since then? Just one!
It was a turning point in this club's proud 10-year dominance.